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tashanslone's review against another edition
4.0
This is a sweet little read about an elderly single couple who find solace in each other. They make a deal to sleep side by side because they're lonely. I truly enjoyed it.
trin's review against another edition
2.0
In what year is this set? Rhetorical question: there are cell phones so it's clearly present day, but it feels like 50 years ago at least. Everyone in town is shocked -- shocked! -- that two people in their 70s whose spouses have both died start a relationship. REALLY? I grew up in a small town, and I feel like there might have been some wink-wink-nudge-nudge but no disgust and hatred. I just don't buy any of the characters' motivations or reactions. The writing is quiet and lovely, but I didn't believe in the people, and the book ultimately left me cold.
stephvad's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
laurenmichellebrock's review against another edition
5.0
Spare and quiet, Our Souls at Night tells the story of Addie and Louis—aged and lonely, but spirited by opportunity. When Addie comes knocking at Louis’s door with an innocent proposition, Louis is uncertain what to think. But he knows Addie for her grace and integrity, so, intrigued with her offer, he agrees to a friendship beyond all possible imaginings. Written with warmth and an unrelenting faith in the power of human kindness, this sparse book ignites emotion.
bhnmt61's review against another edition
3.0
A short, sweet book about an elderly woman who begins a relationship with one of her similarly elderly neighbors. They've clearly led complex, imperfect lives, but everything is suffused with nostalgia for a simpler time--when kids didn't have phones, and people stayed in unhappy marriages because it was "better for the kids," and having a dog and a camping trip could solve a little boy's problems. It has some lovely moments, and it isn't unsuccessful in creating a memorable summer for an unhappy boy, but I’m not a nostalgic person. Definitely does not align with my own experience of the past. Well, except maybe for the part about back when six-year-olds didn't have phones.
cam_tee's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
ur Souls at Night is a melancholic, cozy and quaint read. It explores companionship during an age that people may count out completely. It shows us that the need for connection is folded intrinsically in our DNA as humans at any age. And it shows us that love can show up in a beautifully ordinary quiet way.
kathydavie's review against another edition
4.0
A standalone novel about life in a small town amongst the elderly in Holt, Colorado.
In 2015, Our Souls at Night was nominated for the GoodReads Choice Award for Fiction.
My Take
It's a sweet and very sad story about normal — old — people who want companionship.
On the whole, their lives were normal including those few blips, those tragedies that can hit anyone — Connie's death and Carl's reaction to it and Louis' affair.
I hope Addie doesn't help Gene. I hope she leaves all her money to Jamie! Jerk.
It's sad about Louis wanting to write his poetry, having purpose, and his wife being so closed-off. Oh, that's not really fair to say. She simply had no purpose other than being a housewife and taking care of their daughter. And then to want to close him off as well…
Ooh, it made me furious when Ruth told Jamie the story behind the picture. Of what the town council did. Their reasons. How incredibly lame!!
I do have to agree with Addie about church!
I suspect that "last book about Holt County" and the play is a reference to one of Haruf's books. Benediction (Plainsong, 3)?? It's even cuter with the follow-up on the next page when Addie poses a question about some author writing a book about them.
It's real life with ordinary people in empty houses with lonely nights. And it's so sad with Gene's attitude. I'm not sure I'd've read it, if I'd known how it would end.
The Story
Addie Moore pays an unexpected visit to a neighbor, Louis Waters. They're both in the same situation: widowed and lonely. And Addie has plans to change that.
Plans that open both their lives up. That bring them joy until family steps in.
The Characters
The seventy-year-old Addie Moore had retired from her job as a clerk for the town. Carl is her deceased (estranged) husband; he'd sold all kinds of insurance when he was alive. Connie was their first child. Gene is her closed-off son with an unfinished furniture store. Jamie is Addie's six-year-old grandson. Beverly, a hairdresser, is Gene's unhappy wife. Bonny is the older dog.
Louis Waters loved to write poetry and had taught high school English. Holly is his daughter. Diane is his deceased wife.
Ruth Joyce is an eighty-two-year-old neighbor who lives in between Addie and Louis. Dorlan Becker used to own the men's store. Mr. Gorland had sold his insurance office and clients to Carl. The Coxes are small-minded gossips. Linda Rogers and Julie Newcomb are some of Holly's tattling friends. Dee Roberts, a former student, plays on the softball team. Rudy works at the old hardware store. Stanley Thompkins is a farmer. Bill Martin owns a picnic-ky sort of property with a creek. Tamara was the other woman. Pamela was her daughter.
The Cover and Title
The cover is so very soft with its greige wall and the haziness between it and Addie's solid, dark, old-fashioned headboard.
The title is so appropriate, as it all starts with Our Souls at Night when life seems loneliest.
In 2015, Our Souls at Night was nominated for the GoodReads Choice Award for Fiction.
My Take
It's a sweet and very sad story about normal — old — people who want companionship.
On the whole, their lives were normal including those few blips, those tragedies that can hit anyone — Connie's death and Carl's reaction to it and Louis' affair.
"…we didn't know anything in our twenties when we were first married. It was all just instinct and the patterns we'd grown up with."I can't stand Addie's son. He's such a judgmental creep, shoving his issues onto his mother. And who is he to talk, anyway? He's dumping his kid on his mother because he's got his own problems with his wife and his business. Then to come out with this attitude?? I should think he'd be happy that his mother was happy! That she is willing to help him with his son and his life.
I hope Addie doesn't help Gene. I hope she leaves all her money to Jamie! Jerk.
It's sad about Louis wanting to write his poetry, having purpose, and his wife being so closed-off. Oh, that's not really fair to say. She simply had no purpose other than being a housewife and taking care of their daughter. And then to want to close him off as well…
Ooh, it made me furious when Ruth told Jamie the story behind the picture. Of what the town council did. Their reasons. How incredibly lame!!
I do have to agree with Addie about church!
I suspect that "last book about Holt County" and the play is a reference to one of Haruf's books. Benediction (Plainsong, 3)?? It's even cuter with the follow-up on the next page when Addie poses a question about some author writing a book about them.
It's real life with ordinary people in empty houses with lonely nights. And it's so sad with Gene's attitude. I'm not sure I'd've read it, if I'd known how it would end.
The Story
Addie Moore pays an unexpected visit to a neighbor, Louis Waters. They're both in the same situation: widowed and lonely. And Addie has plans to change that.
Plans that open both their lives up. That bring them joy until family steps in.
The Characters
The seventy-year-old Addie Moore had retired from her job as a clerk for the town. Carl is her deceased (estranged) husband; he'd sold all kinds of insurance when he was alive. Connie was their first child. Gene is her closed-off son with an unfinished furniture store. Jamie is Addie's six-year-old grandson. Beverly, a hairdresser, is Gene's unhappy wife. Bonny is the older dog.
Louis Waters loved to write poetry and had taught high school English. Holly is his daughter. Diane is his deceased wife.
Ruth Joyce is an eighty-two-year-old neighbor who lives in between Addie and Louis. Dorlan Becker used to own the men's store. Mr. Gorland had sold his insurance office and clients to Carl. The Coxes are small-minded gossips. Linda Rogers and Julie Newcomb are some of Holly's tattling friends. Dee Roberts, a former student, plays on the softball team. Rudy works at the old hardware store. Stanley Thompkins is a farmer. Bill Martin owns a picnic-ky sort of property with a creek. Tamara was the other woman. Pamela was her daughter.
The Cover and Title
The cover is so very soft with its greige wall and the haziness between it and Addie's solid, dark, old-fashioned headboard.
The title is so appropriate, as it all starts with Our Souls at Night when life seems loneliest.
miakim's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.0
meg_dyer's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75